General Defense Command

The General Defense Command was an army group-level formation in the Imperial Japanese Army that commanded all land and air defense units in the home islands of Japan during World War II. It was established on 5 July 1941 and placed under the direct command of Imperial General Headquarters and the Emperor. For recruiting and administrative purposes, the General Defense Command was organized into four district armies in Japan proper (Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central) as well as the Korean Army (Korea) and Taiwan Army (Taiwan). On 8 April 1945 the formation was dissolved and its duties assumed by the First General Army and Second General Army.